From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
To thunderous applause in Congress, Herzog stresses Israel’s ‘independent judiciary’
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
WASHINGTON — With the White House having repeatedly expressed concern over the direction of Israel’s democracy, and the Netanyahu government working to limit the Supreme Court’s power, President Isaac Herzog stresses to Congress that Israel is “a country which takes pride in its vibrant democracy, its protection of minorities, human rights and civil liberties, as laid down by its parliament, the Knesset, and safeguarded by its strong Supreme Court and independent judiciary.”
He emphasizes that Israel is a “state founded on complete equality of social and political rights for all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or gender – as stipulated explicitly in Israel’s Declaration of Independence,” comments met by thunderous applause.
The Times of Israel Community.